Textile web calendering apparatus

ABSTRACT

A plurality of calender rolls in a textile web calendering apparatus extend transversely between first and second spaced apart side frame members and are supported by antifriction bearings disposed in elongate slots in the side frame members. By means of a particular mounting arrangement, the side frame members cooperate in maintaining the antifriction bearings and the rolls in assembled relation and in restraining the rolls against movement transversely of the side frame members.

United States Patent 1 1 1 1 3,791,288

Whitehurst Feb. 12, 1974 [54] TEXTILE WEB CALENDERING 473,950 5/1892Nelson et al 38 52 APPARATUS 145,910 12/1973 $11611 38 52 1,934,23311/1933 Malkin 38/52 x Inventor: Marcus u st, ast n a, 2,271,869 2/1942Martin et al. 38/52 N.C. 553,368 1/1896 Thomas 100/161 3,367,263 2/19681 100/168 [73] Ass'gnee Pledmmt Machme Inc-1 3,419,890 12/1968 100/172Gastonia, NC. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [22] Med: 1971 12,9966/1903 Great Britain 38 51 [21] AWL 210,714 539,244 7 1955 Belgium 19/65CR Primary ExaminerLeon G. Machlin 1 521 U.S. c1. 100/170, 19/65 CR,38/49, Attorney, A88, Fi,m pamn, Ben, Seltzer,

68/248, 242/551 & Gibson [51] Int. Cl. D0lb l/36, Bb 3/04 [58] Field OfSearch l0O/l55 R, I72, I68; I9/I55, 57 ABSTRACT 19/286, CR, 258;308/178, 175; 68/269 R, 269 B; /54; 101/218; 29/115; 38/49, 48,

A plurality of calender rolls in a textile web calendering apparatusextend transversely between first and second spaced apart side framemembers and are supported by antifriction bearings disposed in elongateslots in the side frame members. By means of a particular mountingarrangement, the side frame members cooperate in maintaining theantifriction bearings and the rolls in assembled relation and inrestraining the rolls against movement transversely of the side framemembers.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED EB 1 2 W 3.791.288

I SHEET 1 0F 2 PATENTEU FEB 1 21974 I saw a 2 TEXTILE WEB CALENDERINGAPPARATUS Textile web calendering apparatus has long been employed incertain steps related to the processing of textile fibers. By way ofexample, a bat of textile fibers processed by a picker is passed througha textile web calendering apparatus before being wound into a lap forsubsequent handling. In the calendering apparatus, the bat of textilefiber is compressed into a more coherent form, thereby facilitatinghandling of the lap.

Heretofore, such calendering apparatus has employed main frame membersto receive and rotatably mount a plurality of calender rolls. In orderto assure alignment of the calender rolls and proper passage of textileweb therethrough, the rolls have been provided with enlarged flangesadjacent the terminal ends thereof so that the flanges of adjacent rollsmight overlap and maintain the rolls in alignment. In rotatably mountingsuch rolls, the outer terminal ends of the rolls have been receivedwithin plain bearings, mounted in blocks which were in turn slidablyarranged in the main frame. The majority of the bearing area thusprovided was spaced outwardly from the frame members. When loadingforces were applied by weighting systems in order to aid in compactingthe textile web passing through the calendering apparatus, bendingforces arose in the rolls due to the misalignment of the force and thebearings. As a result of such arrangements, bearing wear was acceleratedand thrust forces directed longitudinally of the rolls came into beingthrough uneven loading and skew effects.

In view of the difficulties and difficiencies heretofore encountered intextile web calendering apparatus, it is an object of the presentinvention to mount a plurality of calender rolls transversely betweenfirst and second spaced apart side frame members in such a way that thecalender rolls are restrained against movement transversely of the sideframe members while uneven loading, skew and bearing wear are minimized.In realizing this object of the present invention, antifriction bearingmeans are arranged encircling each terminal end portion of each of aplurality of rolls for rotatably supporting the rolls. The antifrictionbearings are, in accordance with the present invention, disposed withinthe side frame members in order to assure more accurate alignment of thetextile web calendering apparatus.

Some of the objects and advantages of the invention having been stated,others will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a side view, partlybroken away, of a textile web calendering apparatus embodying thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, somewhat schematic, side view of the apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a terminal end portion of acalender roll in accordance with this invention and includingantifriction bearings and other elements which engage the calender roll;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the calender rolls in a drivearrangement in accordance with this invention, taken generally asindicated by the line 44 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view, partly in section, of a calender roll, takengenerally along the line 55 in FIG. 4.

The textile web calendering apparatus of this invention will bedescribed hereinafter with particular reference to the embodimentillustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, at theoutset, that the illustration and the description which follow are to betaken as exemplary only and as illustrating a preferred embodiment forthe apparatus of this invention. 5 It is contemplated, however, that theprinciples of this invention may have application in structuresdiffering in detail from the illustrated and described embodiment andthe present invention is accordingly to be interpreted broadly ratherthan restrictively.

The textile web calendering apparatus of the present invention isgenerally indicated at in FIG. I, where the apparatus is arranged toreceive a web W of textile fibers being advanced from a picker apparatusgenerally indicated at 11. The picker apparatus is constructed in aconventional and known manner, to deliver the web from a pair of takeoff rolls 12, 14 which remove the textile fiber from condensor screens15, 16. It is contemplated that the calendering apparatus 10 may beuseful in other arrangements and circumstances.

The calendering apparatus includes first and second spaced apart sideframe members 18, 19 (FIGS. 1 and 5), each defining an elongate slottherein. The elongate slots 20, 21 extend generally vertically (FIG. 1)and define a generally vertical path of movement for a plurality ofcalender rolls 24, 25, 26, 27. Each of the slots is defined by opposedparallel walls which are of substantially the same length and each slotis open at the upper end thereof for sliding engagement of bearinghousing means with the parallel walls thereof, as pointed out more fullyhereinafter.

The plurality of calender rolls 24, 25, 26, 27 extend transverselybetween the side frame members l8, l9 and each have opposing reduceddiameter terminal end portions penetrating the elongate slots 20, 21. Asarranged in a vertical stack, the calender rolls 24, 25, 26, 27 receivethe web W in a serpentine path therebetween (FIG. 2) and deliver the webto be wound into a lap L about a lap pin 29. In order to assure propercompaction of the web W on passage between the calender rolls, weightingmeans on the side frame members l8, l9 impose on the plurality ofcalender rolls forces which are directed along the elongate slots 20,21, or vertically downwardly in FIG. 1. One such 45 weighting means 30,mounted on the side frame member 18, is illustrated in FIG. I. A similarweighting means (not shown) is mounted-on the other side frame 19.

The weighting means 30 preferably includes an expansible chamberpressure cylinder 31 acting through a piston rod 32 on a lever arm 33.The lever arm, being mounted for movement about a pivotal axis 35, actsdownwardly to impose a loading force urging the calender rolls together,as pointed out more fully hereinafter.

Encircling each of the terminal end portions of each of the plurality ofrolls 24, 25, 26, 27 are antifriction bearing means for rotatablysupporting the rolls. While the antifriction bearing means arespecifically illustrated in connection with the uppermost roll 27 (FIGS.3 and 5), it is to be understood that similar antifriction bearing meansare provided for each of the plurality of rolls. As illustrated inconjunction with the uppermost roll 27, the antifriction bearing meanscomprise a plurality of bearings 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d, each having aninner race 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d engaging a corresponding one of thereduced diameter terminal end portions. The

outer races 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d of the bearings are disposed generally inalignment with the corresponding one of the side frame members 18 19, sothat the antifriction bearings means are disposed within the elongateslot 20, 21. g

The antifriction bearing means are retained in assembled relationencircling the terminal end portions of the rolls 24, 25, 26, 27 bymeans which engage each of the terminal end portions. Such means,incorporating a plurality of elements to be described hereinafter,further engages the side frame members 18, 19 and restrains the calenderrolls 24, 25, 26, 27 against movement transversely of the side framemembers while accommodating rotation thereof relative to the side framemembers. This multiple function means includes bearing housings 41, 42,43, 44, 45, 46, 47, and 48, each encircling corresponding ones of theantifriction bearings. While the following discussion will proceed withparticular reference to the bearing housings 41, 42, used in conjunctionwith the uppermost calender roll 27, it is to be understood that theconstruction and assembly of the remaining bearing housings parallelsthe construction and assembly of these particular bearing housings 41,42.

Each of the bearing housings 41, 42 has a generally cylindricalconfiguration and is formed with a stepped bore therethrough forencircling the antifriction bearings which are received within therespective housings. The inside diameter of the greater portion of thebore through the housings 41, 42 is such as to slippingly fit over theouter races of the encircled bearing means. The minor portion of thelength of the bore through the bearing housing means has an insidediameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the terminal endportion of the calender roll, for purposes to be described more fullyhereinafter. The reduced diameter terminal end of portion of the rollpreferably has a stepped configuration (FIGS. 3 and to provide a firststepped portion 50 which enters into the associated bearing housing, asecond stepped portion 51 which provides an abutment for the inner raceof the antifriction bearing means, and a bearing receiving steppedportion 52 having a predetermined outside diameter such that thebearings will slippingly fit thereon.

In order to retain the bearing housings 41, 42 against rotation relativeto the side frame members 18, 19 and restrain transverse movement of therolls relative to the side frame members, each of the bearing housings41, 42 is provided with flatted exterior surface portions 54, 55, 56,57. The flatted surfaces define parallel spaced apart planar areas whichenter into the elongate slots 20, 21 and slidingly engage the opposedwalls of the slots to preclude rotation of the bearing housings relativethereto while permitting movement vertically in the slots under theimpetus provided by the weighting means 30. Further, shoulder surfacesare defined which engage opposing inner faces of the side frame members18, 19 (FIG. 5) and thereby restrain the rolls against movementtransversely (from left to right or vice versa in FIG. 5) relative tothe side frame members. It is by this means that the necessity offlanges as heretofore used is avoided.

In retaining the bearings and bearing housings in assembled relation,each of the terminal end portions of the rolls 24, 25, 2 6, 27 definesan internally threaded bore therewithin. A number of threaded fasteners60 corresponding to the number of the terminal end portions of the rollsare provided, with each threaded fastener penetrating a correspondingone of the internally threaded bores for imposing on corresponding onesof the antifriction bearings a force directed axially of thecorresponding one roll to thereby maintain the elements in assembledrelation. In certain instances, where the terminal end portion of a rolldoes not penetrate beyond the side frame member (as at the right handend of the roll 27 in FIG. 5) such a mounting arrangement is completedby the provision of a cap 61 bearing against the inner race of theantifriction bearings. In other instances, where the terminal endportion of the roll extends beyond the side frame member (as at the leftend of the roll 27 in FIG. 5), the fastener 60 and cap 61 act through ainterposed spacer means 62 and drive arrangement elements such as a gear64.

The textile web calendering apparatus 10 of this invention comprisesdrive means operatively interconnected with the plurality of rolls 24,25, 26, 27 for driving them in rotation. In the form illustrated, thedrive means includes the plurality of intermeshing gear members 64, 65,66, 67 with each gear member being drivingly connected with thecorresponding one of the plurality of rolls. In particular, each rollhas at least one terminal end portion which penetrates through acorresponding one of the elongate slots 18, 19 and extends outwardlybeyond the corresponding one of the side frame members. In the instanceof the lower rolls 24, 25, auxiliary drive arrangements may beaccommodated by the provision of other spockets and gears 70, 71. Ineach instance, the mounting of the component of drive arrangement is asdescribed hereinabove with reference to the gear 67 drivingly connectedwith the uppermost calender roll 27.

From the description to this point, it will be appreciated by personsskilled in the arts relating to textile web processing that theimposition of loading forces on the bearing housing means 41, 42 of theuppermost roll 27 will assure a more uniform distribution of loadingforces through the calender rolls 24, 25, 26, 27. Further, such moreequal distribution of loading forces contributes to satisfactorycompaction of the textile web W in passage thereof through rolls of amore nearly uniform diameter than has heretofore been possible. Byaccomodating this use of more uniform diameter calender rolls, theapparatus of this invention further contributes to ease of originalmanufacture and maintenance in that manufacture and stocking of a rangeof roll sizes is avoided. Further, the slip fit assembly describedhereinabove particularly facilitates quick assembly or dismantling ofthe calendering apparatus of this invention in the event thatmaintenance is re quired and is further believed to aid extension of theoperating life of the antifriction bearings used.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferredembodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation.

That which is claimed is:

1. A textile web calendering apparatus comprising:

first and second spaced apart side frame members each defining anelongate slot therein having opposed parallel walls which are ofsubstantially the same length, each said slot being open at one end,

a plurality of calender rolls extending transversely between said sideframe members and each having opposing reduced diameter terminal endportions penetrating said elongate slots,

antifriction bearing means encircling each of said terminal end portionsof each of said plurality of rolls and disposed within said elongateslots for rotatably supporting said rolls,

means engaging each of said terminal end portions of each of saidplurality of rolls for retaining said antifriction bearing means inassembled relation encircling said terminal end portions, for engagingsaid side frame members and for restraining said calender rolls againstmovement transversely of said side frame members while accommodatingrotation thereof relative to said side frame members, and

first and second weighting force means mounted on corresponding ones ofsaid framemembers adjacent said open ends of said slots, each of saidweighting force means acting in alignment with the corresponding one ofsaid slots for engaging such corresponding one of said side frameengaging bearing retaining means as is nearest the corresponding one ofsaid open ends,

said weighting force means, said engaged ones of said bearing retainingmeans and said rolls cooperating for applying loading forces betweensaid rolls to compact textile web passing therebetween.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said antifrictionbearing means comprises a plurality of bearings each having an innerrace engaging a corresponding one of said reduced diameter terminal endportions and having an encircling outer race disposed generally inalignment with the corresponding one of said side frame members.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said terminalend portions penetrates through the corresponding one of said elongateslots and extends outwardly beyond the corresponding one of said sideframe members and further wherein said means engaging said one terminalend portion comprises spacer sleeve means encircling that portion ofsaid one terminal end portion which extends outwardly beyond thecorresponding one of said antifriction bearing means.

4. A textile web calendering apparatus comprising:

first and second spaced apart side frame members each defining anelongate slot therein having opposed parallel walls which are ofsubstantially the same length, each said slot being open at one end, atleast three calender rolls extending transversely between said framemembers and each having reduced diameter terminal end portionspenetrating said elongate slots, antifriction bearing means encirclingeach of said terminal end portions of each of said rolls for rotatablysupporting said rolls, bearing housing means encircling saidantifriction bearing means and disposed within said elongate slots forengagement with said side frame members, said side frame members andsaid bearing housing means cooperating in restraining said bearinghousing means against rotation and against movement transversely of saidside frame members,

means engaging each of said terminal end portions of each of said rollsforretaining said antifriction bearing means in assembled relation withsaid bearing housing means and said terminal end portions of said rolls,and

first and second weighting force means mounted on corresponding ones ofsaid frame members adjacent said open ends of said slots, each of saidweighting force means engaging such corresponding one of said bearinghousing means as is nearest the corresponding one of said open ends forapplying a loading force thereto in alignment with the correspondingslot and frame member,

' said engaged bearing housing means cooperating with the correspondingone of said rolls which is I supported thereby for exerting a compactingforce on textile web passing between said rolls.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein each of said terminalend portions of said rolls defines an internally threaded boretherewithin and further wherein said means engaging said terminal endportions comprises a number of threaded fasteners corresponding to thenumber of said terminal end portions, each threaded fastener penetratinga corresponding one of said internally threaded bores for imposing oncorresponding ones of said antifriction bearing means a force directedaxially of the corresponding one roll and thereby maintaining theelements in assembled relation.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein each of saidplurality ofrolls has one terminal end portion thereof penetrating through acorresponding one of said elongate slots and extending outwardly beyondthe corresponding one of said side frame members and further comprisingdrive means interconnected with said plurality of rolls for driving thesame in rotation, said drive means including a plurality of intermeshinggear members with each gear member being drivingly connected with acorresponding one of said outwardly extending terminal end portions.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said bearing housing meanshave frame engaging surfaces formed thereon for sliding engagement withthe parallel walls of said elongate slots of said side frame memberswhereby said side frame members retain said bearing housing meansagainst rotation relative thereto while permitting movement thereoflongitudinally of said elongage slots, and further wherein said bearinghousing means have shoulder surfaces engaging opposing inner faces ofsaid side frame members for thereby restraining said rolls againstmovement transversely relative to said side frame members,

8. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the reduced diameter terminalend portions of each of said plurality of rolls have predeterminedoutside diameters, said antifriction bearing means have predeterminedinside diameters for a slipping fit encircling said terminal endportions, and further wherein said means engaging each of said terminalend portions of each of said plurality of rolls comprises cap meanshaving an outside diameter slightly greater than said inside diameter ofsaid antifriction bearing means, said cap means imposing on said bearingmeans a retaining force and thereby serving to retain the elements ofthe apparatus in assembled relation.

1. A textile web calendering apparatus comprising: first and secondspaced apart side frame members each defining an elongate slot thereinhaving opposed parallel walls which are of substantially the samelength, each said slot being open at one end, a plurality of calenderrolls extending transversely between said side frame members and eachhaving opposing reduced diameter terminal end portions penetrating saidelongate slots, antifriction bearing means encircling each of saidterminal end portions of each of said plurality of rolls and disposedwithin said elongate slots for rotatably supporting said rolls, meansengaging each of said terminal end portions of each of said plurality ofrolls for retaining said antifriction bearing means in assembledrelation encircling said terminal end portions, for engaging said sideframe members and for restraining said calender rolls against movementtransversely of said side frame members while accommodating rotationthereof relative to said side frame members, and first and secondweighting force means mounted on corresponding ones of said framemembers adjacent said open ends of said slots, each of said weightingforce means acting in alignment with the corresponding one of said slotsfor engaging such corresponding one of said side frame engaging bearingretaining means as is nearest the corresponding one of said open ends,said weighting force means, said engaged ones of said bearing retainingmeans and said rolls cooperating for applying loading forces betweensaid rolls to compact textile web passing therebetween.
 2. Apparatus inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said antifriction bearing meanscomprises a plurality of bearings each having an inner race engaging acorresponding one of said reduced diameter terminal end portions andhaving an encircling outer race disposed generally in alignment with thecorresponding one of said side frame members.
 3. Apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein at least one of said terminal end portions penetratesthrough the corresponding one of said elongate slots and extendsoutwardly beyond the corresponding one of said side frame members andfurther wherein said means engaging said one terminal end portioncomprises spacer sleeve means encircling that portion of said oneterminal end portion which extends outwardly beyond the correspondingone of said antifriction bearing means.
 4. A textile web calenderingapparatus comprising: first and second spaced apart side frame memberseach defining an elongate slot therein having opposed parallel wallswhich are of substantially the same length, each said slot being open atone end, at least three calender rolls extending transversely betweensaid frame members and each having reduced diameter terminal endportions penetrating said elongate slots, antifriction bearing meansencircling each of said terminal end portions of each of said rolls forrotatably supporting said rolls, bearing housing means encircling saidantifriction bearing means and disposed within said elongate slots forengagement with said side frame members, said side frame members andsaid bearing housing means cooperating in restraining said bearinghousing means against rotation and against movement transversely of saidside frame members, means engaging each of said terminal end portions ofeach of said rolls for retaining said antifriction bearing means inassembled relation with said bearing housing means and said terminal endportions of said rolls, and first and second weighting force meansmounted on corresponding ones of said frame members adjacent said openends of said slots, each of said weighting force means engaging suchcorresponding one of said bearing housing means as is nearest thecorresponding one of said open ends for applying a loading force theretoin alignment with the corresponding slot and frame member, said engagedbearing housing means cooperating with the corresponding one of saidrolls which is supported thereby for exerting a compacting force ontextile web passing between said rolls.
 5. Apparatus in accordance withclaim 4 wherein each of said terminal end portions of said rolls definesan internally threaded bore therewithin and further wherein said meansengaging said terminal end portions comprises a number of threadedfasteners corresponding to the number of said terminal end portions,each threaded fastener penetrating a corresponding one of saidinternally threaded bores for imposing on corresponding ones of saidantifriction bearing means a force directed axially of the correspondingone roll and thereby maintaining the elements in assembled relation. 6.Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein each of said plurality ofrolls has one terminal end portion thereof penetrating through acorresponding one of said elongate slots and extending outwardly beyOndthe corresponding one of said side frame members and further comprisingdrive means interconnected with said plurality of rolls for driving thesame in rotation, said drive means including a plurality of intermeshinggear members with each gear member being drivingly connected with acorresponding one of said outwardly extending terminal end portions. 7.Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said bearing housing means haveframe engaging surfaces formed thereon for sliding engagement with theparallel walls of said elongate slots of said side frame members wherebysaid side frame members retain said bearing housing means againstrotation relative thereto while permitting movement thereoflongitudinally of said elongage slots, and further wherein said bearinghousing means have shoulder surfaces engaging opposing inner faces ofsaid side frame members for thereby restraining said rolls againstmovement transversely relative to said side frame members.
 8. Apparatusaccording to claim 4 wherein the reduced diameter terminal end portionsof each of said plurality of rolls have predetermined outside diameters,said antifriction bearing means have predetermined inside diameters fora slipping fit encircling said terminal end portions, and furtherwherein said means engaging each of said terminal end portions of eachof said plurality of rolls comprises cap means having an outsidediameter slightly greater than said inside diameter of said antifrictionbearing means, said cap means imposing on said bearing means a retainingforce and thereby serving to retain the elements of the apparatus inassembled relation.